Paneer Pulao
Recipe Summary
- A flavorful and aromatic Indian rice dish made with basmati rice, paneer (Indian cheese), and a medley of vegetables like peas and potatoes, seasoned with aromatic spices. This one-pot meal is perfect for lunch or dinner.
All Ingredients - Main Ingredients
- Oil 2 tbsp
- Cashew nuts 5-6
- Anise Star 2
- Cumin seeds 1 tsp
- Clove 3
- Cardamom 2
- Black Cardamom 1
- Cinnamon sticks 2
- Bay leaf 1
- Onion 1 medium size
- Red Chili 2
- Garlic & Ginger paste 1 tsp
- Green Chili 3
- Tomato 2 medium size
- Potato 1
- Peas 1/2 cup
- Chili powder 1 tsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Soaked Basmati Rice 2 cup
- Coriander leaves 2 tbsp
- Garam Masala Powder 1/2 tsp
- Water 3 cup
- Oil (for frying paneer) 1/4 cup
- Paneer 250 gm
Tools You'll Need
- Pot
- Pan
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Bay leaf?
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme (per leaf)
- Pinch of dried oregano
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Paneer?
- Extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed — Pan-fry first for closer texture.
- Halloumi — Saltier; reduce added salt.
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Base Spices and Aromatics
Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a pot. Once hot, add 5-6 cashew nuts and fry for until they turn light golden brown. Then, add 2 Anise Stars, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 3 cloves, 2 green cardamoms, 1 black cardamom, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 1 bay leaf. Cook for , stirring constantly.
Step 2: Sauté Onions and Aromatics
Add 1 medium-sized chopped onion to the pot and fry until it turns golden brown. Next, add 2 dried red chilies and 1 teaspoon of garlic and ginger paste. Continue to fry for a short while until fragrant.
Step 3: Add Vegetables and Seasonings
Introduce 3 green chilies, 2 medium-sized chopped tomatoes, 1 diced potato, and 1/2 cup of green peas to the pot. Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix all the ingredients well and cook for .
Step 4: Cook Vegetables
Cover the pot with a lid and let the vegetables cook for until they are slightly tender.
Step 5: Incorporate Rice and Spices
Add 2 cups of soaked basmati rice, 2 tablespoons of fresh coriander leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder to the pot. Gently mix everything together.
Step 6: Add Water and Initial Cooking
Pour in 3 cups of water and stir gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook on high flame for .
Step 7: Fry Paneer
In a separate pan, heat 1/4 cup of oil. Add 250 grams of paneer cubes and fry until they are light golden brown on all sides. Remove the fried paneer from the pan and set aside.
Step 8: Combine Paneer and Finish Cooking
Once the rice is approximately 80% cooked and most of the water has been absorbed, add the fried paneer cubes to the pot. Cover the pot and cook on a low flame for until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
Step 9: Serve Paneer Pulao
Gently fluff the paneer pulao with a spoon and serve hot.
From this CreatorMore from Cook With QN
Other recipes converted from Cook With QN's YouTube videos.
One-Pot Paneer Pulao
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
40 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Easy
Similar RecipesYou might also like
Other recipes in the same cuisine, meal type, or style — ready to cook whenever you are.
Paneer Kathi Rolls
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 45 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Pav Bhaji – Mumbai Street Style
Cuisine
Indian · Street Food
Prep + Cook Time
40 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Amritsari Chole Bhature
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 45 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Vegetable Biryani – The Bombay Chef
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 5 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Sabse Aasaan Chole Recipe – Punjabi Style
Cuisine
Indian · Punjabi
Prep + Cook Time
30 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Easy
Paneer Biryani - Village Style
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 15 min
Difficulty Level
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment on this recipe.
Loading comments...